FBWC supports the Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community and stands with our AAPI family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues in the fight against racial inequality and racial injustice. The recent murders of six Asian women in the Atlanta area are shocking and very troubling. This tragedy shines a spotlight, once again, on the fact that racism is still very much alive in America. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic more than a year ago, many within the AAPI community — men, women and children of all ages — have been falsely blamed for the pandemic and subjected to ugly, hurtful slurs — all born of ignorance and xenophobia. These racist insults have escalated into violence. In the last year, there have been more than 3,800 reported incidents of racism and discrimination targeting Asian Americans. In 2020, anti-Asian hate crimes increased by almost 150% in sixteen major U.S. cities. In New York City, the NYPD reported that hate crimes motivated by anti-Asian sentiment jumped 1,900%. These scary numbers are horrifying.

This is a reminder that we cannot be silent or complacent when it comes to the pervasive racial inequality and racial injustice that exists in our country. Instead, all of us must stand in solidarity with the AAPI community. We must speak out against the racism and injustice that the AAPI community has had to endure. But in addition to speaking out, we must take action, as good intentions and words are not enough. We must work together to break the cycle of senseless racism and to find solutions for ending racial hatred and violence. Now is the time to do this before yet-another tragedy occurs. We can make a difference if we care and we try.

So what can we do?

http://kcfamiliesblessed.org/statement-in-support-of-the-aapi-community/